An automatic call distributor (ACD), also known as an automated call distribution system, answers and routes incoming calls for flawless customer experiences. Small business owners use automatic call distribution or call routing services to create preset conditions to ensure every caller arrives at the right agent or department. How Automatic Call Distribution Works Most call…
Grasshopper vs Google Voice: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?
Grasshopper and Google Voice are virtual phone providers that offer cloud-based communication solutions to small businesses and solopreneurs. Both of these solutions provide simplicity and affordability, though they lack the advanced (and expensive) features of an enterprise voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) platform like RingCentral or Nextiva. Grasshopper’s platform caters to small businesses, startups, and individuals who need…
Ooma vs RingCentral: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?
Ooma and RingCentral are cutting-edge voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) service providers, offering scalable plans for companies of any size to establish their communications programs. Small businesses with tight budgets and limited needs will appreciate Ooma’s low-cost, entry-level price. In contrast, larger companies (and those in need of more advanced communication features) will be drawn to RingCentral’s robust…
GoToConnect vs RingCentral: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?
GoToConnect (formerly known as Jive) and RingCentral are two of the best platforms for voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) services. They provide cloud-based communications for businesses to better communicate internally and externally with features like unlimited calling, SMS, voicemail, and more. GoToConnect and RingCentral both provide easy-to-use platforms, but each has its own perks and quirks that make…
RingCentral vs Vonage: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?
RingCentral and Vonage are two of the biggest names in cloud communications. Both provide voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) solutions for businesses, but each takes a different focus. Vonage offers a more straightforward VoIP solution with more customized pricing plans, while RingCentral delivers a robust, unrivaled feature set. Both providers deliver the standard unlimited calls and messaging you’d…
6 Best Google Voice Alternatives in 2021
As a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) system, Google Voice is easy to use, especially for those already using Google products. Business owners appreciate features like voicemail transcriptions and unlimited short service messaging (SMS). However, companies wanting an international presence, unified communications (UC) platforms, or an auto-attendant turn elsewhere for their small business phone system. We compared several…
RingCentral vs Grasshopper: Which Is Better for Your Small Business?
Both RingCentral and Grasshopper are excellent call management solutions. You get one or more toll-free or local numbers and other standard business phone features for a low monthly cost. Each provider has been in business since 2003 and offers mobile apps and browser-based calling. However, these cloud-based business phone systems use different pricing models, including…
RingCentral vs 8×8: Which Is Better for Small Businesses?
RingCentral and 8×8 are two of the world’s leading global cloud communications platforms. As voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) services, they facilitate better experiences between employees and customers by employing modern-day conversation tools like chat, messaging, phone calls, video calls, file sharing, and more. These two software solutions share a lot in common, but a few nuances make…
6 Best IVR Systems for 2021
Interactive voice response (IVR) systems work by responding to callers’ voice commands and contribute to the customer experience while saving businesses time. We compared a dozen advanced business phone solutions, looking for services that offered frustration-free call routing and advanced voice recognition capabilities. However, to be included in our list, services had to also be…
The Top Places to Get an 800 Number
Many small business owners add 800 numbers to encourage customers to reach out to their customer support or sales teams. While some voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) systems offer free or add-on numbers, virtual number providers offer another toll-free way to route calls. We identified the top three toll-free number providers and explain why you should consider offering…
What Is a CRM & What Does It Do?
Customer relationship management (CRM) software is a database used to track customer activities, leads, and sales opportunities. Logging this important information provides insights on your entire sales, marketing, customer service, and finance teams, and allows you to tailor interactions to enhance relationships with your customers. What a CRM Is Customer relationship management systems are designed…
Top 6 Cheap VoIP Services for 2021
Cloud-based VoIP systems cost less compared to traditional landlines or office private branch exchange (PBX) systems; however, any business phone system can still be expensive. That said, most VoIP plans allow you to use any device to make calls in their lowest-tiered plans, and all you need is an internet connection. Therefore, we looked at…